How Specialty Roasters Can Innovate Without Losing Their Soul
Here’s what specialty roasters must do to stay ahead: innovate without losing authenticity. The specialty coffee world once thrived on quality and traceability, but today’s market demands more. Consolidation, like Keurig’s $18bn acquisition of JDE Peet’s, has shifted power dynamics, pushing big players toward risk-averse strategies. For smaller roasters, this is a chance to redefine the game. Innovation here isn’t about flashy gimmicks—it’s about solving real problems while staying true to the craft. Consider Assembly Coffee’s bold move: partnering with Brazilian farm Mió and the Coffee Sensorium to repurpose overripe cherries through controlled fermentation. The result? A limited-edition trio of…